Courtesy towards job seekers
Organizational hint: If you’re hiring people, make sure you notify the candidates that you didn’t choose of your decision.
It will make you rise above the other organizations that keep candidates hanging. Yes, it will take time to notify hundreds of applicants, but it will show you are part of a class organization.
I feel for all of you that are looking for work. I’ve been there, and do know this: you will find something.
Blessings!
Happy Easter
Howdy.
Apologies for not updating this blog more often. Life’s been interesting.
I’ve been journalling (is that a word?) and listening for His guidance.
I should be able to announce something next week. Huge. Thankful. Humbled.
Have a blessed Easter.
Minimalism
I have always been an organized person (some call us freaks.)
When I was a child, my aunts and uncles would love for me to visit, because I would clean up my cousin’s bedrooms.
I cannot stand clutter. It goes against my existence.
In my (almost) 17 years of marriage, I’ve eased up a bit (read: beaten out of me) on my clutter rage, but from time to time it does flair up. Evidence of these flair-ups are demonstrated in an over-stuffed recycling bin, or boxes filling up the donation area.
My angst blesses others. 
Over the years, I have donated much, and still have much to donate, because these “things” are taking up too much space, and I’m not using them. There are people that would be blessed by having some of these “things”, so it is my intent to give many things away.
I’m tired of moving them, I’m tired of them collecting dust instead of being used.
Saving things for a rainy day is pointless. Rainy days require:
Close your windows
grab a rain jacket
grab an umbrella
That extra box of screws or extra widget is not necessary for rainy days.
“Instead of buying things they don’t really need, they fast periodically from those habits that suck them in to this alternate reality. Certainly, this way of life often takes more effort and creativity on the front end, requiring their full imagination and a willingness to part with unnecessary comforts. But in the long run, they seem to be creating a more sustainable and less contrived existence.”
— Excerpted from The Next Christians by Gabe Lyons
The Minimalists website have a great post titled Getting Rid of Just in Case . Ironically, if my wife and I had a son, I wanted to name him Justin Case. My buddies even bribed my wife to allow this name. Thankfully, I have daughters, and she cannot be bribed.
Happy purging!
Fasting from the noise, so I can hear
This past week, I kicked off a fast of some Internet-related things that have taken up way too much of my time:
Facebook (completely fasting from F’book)
Twitter (will tweet from links, and send out an occasional tweet, but not looking at Twitter)
RSS Feeds (other than a handful of Biblical or faith-based reads that I read daily)
I’ve also started a food fast (other than soups, and breakfast.)
Life has been too noisy for me these past few weeks. I want to clear the noise, so I can focus on what God has to say, His direction, and next steps.
Slow Down
When you race through life, you will miss, I repeat, you will miss things.
A sunset, a sunrise, birds chirping, a stop sign, a question, a smile, a breeze, opportunities.
We’re all burdened with our own agendas, and we go through life trying to do this on our own.
Big mistake.
We’re not meant to go through life in solo mode. We need each other, in good times and those challenging times we often paint as “bad.”
Those “bad” times can shape us into something more complete, if we let Him guide us.
Take a deep breath, take it in, and rest. You’ll be better for it.
2012
It’s March 6th? 2012? Did someone turn up the RPM on Earth?
Work and life will pass you by, if you let it.
I’ve been reading, studying, devotionaling (don’t think that’s a word, but I’ll use it today.)
Jenn is rebounding well from her December surgery, and our daughters have had their best school years ever.
Life presents peaks and valleys.
If you’re in a valley right now, know this: You’re still standing on top of something, so you’re never at the bottom. Focus on the good things, family, friends, whatever that brings you comfort and does not harm you in the short/long term.
The coming months are filled with expectation for something beyond awesome. Embrace the moment!
Having a bad day?
Are you having a bad day today? Work causing you grief? Trouble at home? Bills higher than your bank balance?
Go for a walk. Preferably where there’s other people.
If you live in a large metropolitan area like I do (or even a small one), you’ll likely encounter one or more of these types of individuals:
Someone dealing with a mental illness
A blind person trying to navigate through a cross walk, across a road filled with potholes
A disabled person that is charging their scooter, so they can make it home
Someone with prosthetic limbs
Someone that’s going through a divorce, or the death of a loved one
Someone that’s just lost their job
Someone dealing with health issues; either themselves or a loved one
Someone that’s misunderstood
Are you still having that bad of a day?
If you can walk, talk, speak, hear, stand up, sit down without assistance, have a job, have people that love you, then my friend, every day is a good day.
Sometimes you have to be forced to learn or explore
History repeats itself. My 8th Grade teacher Mr. Moon (and many others) said that quote. It’s the only thing I remember from his class. Still received an A in the class
As we see continued job losses, and people that have worked at (insert name of company here) for 20 years, losing their jobs with no marketable skills, we have an appetite for disaster in North America.
I saw the writing on the wall back in the early 1980s, when my Dad came really close to getting permanently laid off from Generous Motors. Thankfully, he had enough seniority and was able to retire early, avoiding the permanent layoff.
I made the decision in the early 80s that I would not follow in the steps of my father, grandfather and great-grandfather, by working in the auto sector.
There were times in the past 15 years where I explored going into that field. Thankfully, I never had an interview.
I have many family and friends that still work in the auto sector. Many more have been permanently let go, as the plants closed for good. Many of them took advantage of the second career training, and now have found new employment opportunities, albeit for much less than they were likely making before.
Good things end.
My challenge to you, no matter what industry or trade you call work, is to learn some new skills. Do it now, while you have a choice to learn, instead of being forced to learn, so you can find another gig.
I am extremely thankful for my employer and my employment, but I’m learning something new on the side, because I have the power of choice, and God-given gifts and skills.
Do it now.
Hope
Hope is defined by Webster’s: “to cherish a desire with anticipation”
Too often, our use of hope is more like wish. “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow”, or “I hope I get that promotion.”
The Bible, depending on what translation you use, has over 120 mentions of the word hope. The Bible’s usage of hope is more of a strong anticipation of what will occur, and not the wishy-washy hope that we use today.
When I hear or read of hope, I have vivid memories of President Bill Clinton’s 1992 Presidential campaign, where he often closed his speeches with “I still believe in a place called Hope.” Too many of us have lost hope, due to the economic struggles, job losses, foreclosures, visits from the repo man, illnesses, and the like. We wish things were better, but we need to start hoping that things will get better.
I purposely have avoided the current U.S. Presidential campaign, because if I wanted to watch mud flying, I would visit a farm. The rhetoric is not going to solve anything. We the People have to stop wishing, and start hoping for the best.
I feel we have become prisoners of our lack of hope. We’re paralyzed by the evening newscasts, the doom and gloom of the markets (financial and jobs), and two income households still cannot meet the needs. Some say we are rapidly approaching a crisis situation. I say we’re already there. People are mortgaged to the hills, and a layoff away from losing all their worldly possessions. Healthcare costs continue (and will continue) to rise, so don’t even think about getting sick.
Divorce rates continue to climb, and what used to be taboo is now accepted publicly, and highlighted on your nightly entertainment shows. Bombastic presentation of court room dramas have taken over cable news channels, and the only word that comes to mind is nauseating.
If you watch this crap, I highly recommend you stop. You’re not doing anything but killing all of the hope genes in your head. Quit worshiping these fake Hollywoodesque people. Read a book. Go for a walk. Talk to your spouse / mate. Hang out with your children, your friends, your family. You’ll be a better person if you do.
Note: I’m not saying you should not enjoy well-made shows or movies. I am saying don’t make actor x your be all and end all.
Getting back to hope: do I have hope?
Yes, through the One that was sent, to provide salvation and hope for our souls.
While there are things, opportunities, toys, and other things that I would like to have, I don’t hope to have them. I wish to have them, but my hope is that I will one day be face to face with my Lord and savior, and He will say “Well done.” My hope and understanding is not that the “well done” will be based on my efforts, works, holding doors open for others, tithes and offerings, donations to the red kettle, but for trusting Him for all the provisions I need, and for those acts of kindness and generosity that I have never shared with anyone.
In 2012 and beyond, our hope must be with the one who was sent.
My hope and prayers are for you to know your savior, and to let the guidance of the Holy Spirit be in you and with you all of your days.
Blessings!
Book Review: I Am A Follower by @LenSweet, compliments of @BookSneeze
What do you think of, when you hear the word leadership? My inbox receives a variety of leadership-based e-mails, and there are a ton of leadership writers, speakers, “experts”, etc. What’s ironic is that when the world needs leadership more than ever, there seems to be mass confusion, governments falling, financial stress everywhere, job losses, and so forth. Makes me wonder if anyone is actually listening and learning from the leadership folks.
When I first started reading I Am A Follower, I noticed how the leadership movement was being picked apart for its flaws. We all have flaws. Only one individual that’s ever walked on this planet is perfect.
Jesus.
We are called to follow Jesus. Not like a little child follows their parents (and then wanders off to check out some toy or shiny object), but to truly follow Christ. To learn what He was like, how He saw things, how He reacted to situations.
When I’ve faced struggles and challenges in my life, I thankfully sought His grace and presence. I sought guidance on how to deal with the situation. Yes, I’ve asked for help to “get out” of the situation, but I realize that He can use these challenges as a training ground, for me to become closer to Him, and to be more like Him.
“Follow me.” Two words, that have Kingdom impact.
Dr. Sweet’s book is a must have in your collection. I hope it blesses you as much as it has me.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Elsewhere
